Get kicks at 'Route 66'

ROUTE 66, Old Lyric Repertory Company, Logan, through Aug. 2 (435-752-1500). Running time: 88 minutes (one intermission).

LOGAN — The days of AM radio and service stations that actually provided service are nostalgically remembered in the second offering of the Old Lyric Repertory Company, the musical "Route 66," written by former Utahn Roger Bean.

The production's title, of course, refers to the once-famous highway that linked Chicago and Los Angeles. "Route 66" is a musical revue, a back-to-back non-stop remembrance of music to sing along with, presented by four actor-singers: Andrew Dolan, Richie Call, Jon McBride and Tyson Smith.

A large, overhead radio dial and voiceovers mimicking radio announcers from the 1950s is the only "plot" device to move the show along as the four cast members take a road trip from their Midwestern full-service gas station to California. Tunes about cars and communities and cowboys take the stage, sometimes in solo, often as a harmonizing quartet.

The OLRC group is at its best when the four are all on stage together. Their harmonies are as smooth as a grape Nehi, while the solos occasionally feel like karaoke night down at the Texaco station.

On opening night, Dolan looked to be a little ill at ease, not enjoying himself as much as the other three. Director Kris Bushman made the choice to mike the quartet. While there were no technical glitches and the volume allowed for every word of every song to be clearly heard — a bonus, for sure — it did seem to retard the players from really letting loose and belting out some of the numbers. It would have been fun to see how they would have done without being held back by the slim, almost hidden microphones.

The audience loved the songs from the '50s, particularly those when the music was played down and the nonsense was played up. Just when the music could have become repetitive, costumes and interaction was introduced to keep the fun at a high level. Call was especially delightful as a 50-gallon-hat-wearing Texas cowboy, as well as a waitress just one scene later.

As "Route 66" hit California, though, the music moved into the '60s, with songs about surfing and cars, and the quartet seemed to lose its edge. Dolan's doo-waps and background movements became even more stiff, and some of the harmonies just missed.

"Route 66" uses a background recorded soundtrack, rather than a live band. Patrons accustomed to OLRC revues having a live band will miss that, but it would have taken a heck of a band to keep up the lickety-split pace that dominates most of the show.

"Route 66" is an easygoing, pleasant, if not perfect, trip down memory lane.

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E-mail: jay@statesman.serv.usu.edu